Home › Ford › Mustang › 2005
2005 Ford Mustang: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2005 Mustang has 868 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any Mustang model year listed[1][2]. Air bags are the largest complaint group, and all of its recalls involve air bags[3][4][5][6][7][8].
Reported problems
NHTSA has 868 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 40 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 35 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part, so the group counts below do not add up to the total.
The two biggest groups are close:
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags[3] | 284 | 21 | 1 | 21 |
| Electrical system[10] | 283 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Fuel system, gasoline[11] | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Speed control[12] | 66 | 14 | 0 | 7 |
| Structure[13] | 64 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Engine[14] | 54 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes[15] | 48 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[16] | 35 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
We read a small sample of complaint texts in the four largest groups. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as signals and not as failure rates.
Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaints we read[3], 5 describe an air bag warning light that comes on, often off and on, with dealers unable to find a fault[3]. 3 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[3], and 3 describe a deployment that hurt the owner or happened unexpectedly[3]. Owners reported a median mileage of 60,000 at the time of the problem[3].
Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaints we read[10], 5 describe a dead battery or a sudden loss of power, sometimes with a tow to the dealer. 3 describe stereo or display glitches such as skipping CDs or dark gauge displays[10].
Fuel system. In a sample of 12 complaints we read[11], 10 describe a fuel pump nozzle that keeps clicking off so the tank cannot be filled. In several of those, owners say the tank was replaced or ordered. 2 describe hesitation when accelerating[11]. Owners reported a median mileage of 24,800 at the time of the problem[11].
Speed control. This group is smaller at 66 complaints, but 14 mention a crash and 7 an injury[12]. All 12 of the sample complaints we read[12] describe the car surging or accelerating when the owner did not expect it, or a pedal that stuck. In 4 of them, the dealer could not reproduce the problem or found no codes[12].
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Passenger air bag inflator (21V081). Filed February 2021. A replacement-part inflator may explode after long exposure to humidity and heat. Metal fragments could seriously injure or kill occupants. Ford says dealers will inspect the air bag modules and, if needed, replace the module or the inflator at no cost[4].
- Remedy pending
Passenger air bag inflator (17V024). Filed January 2017, and it covers certain 2005 to 2008 Mustangs sold or registered in a list of states named in the recall. The inflator can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments at occupants. Owners are advised not to drive the car until it is repaired. The recall text says interim letters went out because parts were not yet available, so the remedy was not yet available at that point. Ask a Ford dealer for current status[5]. - Remedy pending
Passenger air bag inflator (16V384). Filed May 2016, and it covers certain 2005 to 2011 Mustangs in one list of states and territories and certain 2005 to 2008 Mustangs in a second list of states. The risk is the same inflator rupture. Owners are advised not to drive until repaired. Ford mailed interim letters in July 2016 saying parts were not yet available, so the remedy was not yet available in the recall text[6]. - Driver air bag inflator (15V319). Filed May 2015. Moisture can get into the dual-stage driver air bag, and over time the inflator could rupture and send metal fragments at the driver or others. Owners are advised not to drive until repaired. Ford says dealers will replace the driver inflator for free. The recall began June 10, 2016, and it replaces an earlier recall, 14V-802[7]. Even if an interim repair was done under that one, the final repair is still needed[7].
- Front air bag, neck injury (08V082). Filed February 2008. The recall text describes model year 2008 Mustangs: an unbelted small female passenger with the seat fully forward could face a higher chance of neck injury when the air bag deploys. Dealers reprogram the restraint control module for free[8]. Because the text names 2008 vehicles, check your VIN before assuming it applies to your car.
Check any 2005 Mustang's VIN with a Ford dealer before you buy. Recall coverage depends on build dates and, for some of these, where the car was sold or registered.
Fuel economy
The EPA lists four versions, all rear-wheel drive and all on regular gasoline:
| Engine and transmission | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl, automatic 5-spd[17] | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[9] | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl, automatic 5-spd[18] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl, manual 5-spd[19] | 15 / 23 / 18 | $3,700 |
The EPA annual cost uses today's fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. The manual 6-cylinder has the best combined number at 20 MPG[9].
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings do not rate this car[20][21]. Both NHTSA listings read "not rated"[20][21].
Engine and size
The EPA tested a 4.0L 6-cylinder and a 4.6L 8-cylinder[17][18]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds, and can differ slightly from US cars.
How 2005 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 616 | 5 |
| 1996 | 286 | 3 |
| 1997 | 214 | 2 |
| 1998 | 305 | 4 |
| 1999 | 272 | 4 |
| 2000 | 395 | 4 |
| 2001 | 249 | 1 |
| 2002 | 166 | 0 |
| 2003 | 231 | 1 |
| 2004 | 130 | 1 |
| 2005 | 868 | 5 |
| 2006 | 575 | 5 |
| 2007 | 615 | 5 |
| 2008 | 347 | 5 |
| 2009 | 181 | 5 |
| 2010 | 261 | 5 |
| 2011 | 466 | 4 |
| 2012 | 469 | 6 |
| 2013 | 271 | 5 |
| 2014 | 359 | 3 |
| 2015 | 438 | 11 |
| 2016 | 379 | 5 |
| 2017 | 268 | 6 |
| 2018 | 196 | 3 |
| 2019 | 150 | 6 |
| 2020 | 120 | 8 |
| 2021 | 55 | 6 |
| 2022 | 50 | 9 |
| 2023 | 15 | 6 |
| 2024 | 84 | 12 |
| 2025 | 19 | 6 |
| 2026 | 8 | 5 |
Among the Mustang model years on file, 2005 has the most complaints at 868[2]. The next highest are 1995 with 616 and 2007 with 615, and 2006 has 575[2]. The 2004 model year has 130[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so a bigger number can partly reflect more cars on the road.
Its 5 recalls match 1995, 2006 through 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2026[2]. Several years have more, with 2015 at 11 and 2024 at 12 the highest[2].
Should you buy a used 2005 Mustang?
This model year has the highest complaint count of any Mustang year on file, with air bags and electrical problems leading the list[1][3][10][2]. The recalls matter most. Three inflator recalls say owners should not drive the car until repaired[5][6][7], and two of them noted that parts were not yet available when the first notices went out[5][6]. If you are looking at one, check the VIN for open recalls and ask for proof of completed air bag work. Some owners in our small sample describe a fuel tank that would not fill, but that sample cannot tell us how common it is[11]. Fuel economy is modest, between 18 and 20 MPG combined[17][9][18][19].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Mustang?
- Air bags (284 complaints) and the electrical system (283) have the biggest complaint groups on file with NHTSA, followed by fuel system (80) and speed control (66)[3][10][11][12]. These are unverified owner reports.
- Does the 2005 Mustang have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists five: 21V081, 17V024, 16V384, 15V319 and 08V082[4][5][6][7][8]. All five involve air bags, and four of them are about inflators. Check your VIN to see which apply.
- How many miles per gallon does a 2005 Mustang get?
- The EPA rates it from 18 to 20 MPG combined, depending on engine and transmission[17][9][18][19]. The 4.0L manual gets 20 and the 4.6L versions get 18[17][9][18][19].
- How does the 2005 Mustang compare with other Mustang years for complaints?
- It has the most complaints of any year listed, at 868, compared with 130 for 2004 and 575 for 2006[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 868 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Ford Mustang (40 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 35 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Mustang model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 284 complaints name the air bags component group (21 crashes, 1 fires, 21 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V081, filed February 16, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V024, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V384, filed May 31, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V319, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V082, filed February 25, 2008: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Mustang, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 283 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 80 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 66 complaints name the speed control component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,968). NHTSA vehicle records
- 64 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 54 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,178). NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 35 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Mustang, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Mustang, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Mustang, 4.6L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG 2DR COUPE: length 188 in, width 74 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,300 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG GT 2DR COUPE: length 188 in, width 74 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,450 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG 2DR CONVERTIBLE: length 187 in, width 74 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,342 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov